2. Thailand has had several names over the centuries. For hundreds of years it was known by the names of its dominant cities, such as Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Thonburi. Since the 1800s, it has repeatedly switched back and forth between Siam (Sanskrit meaning dark or brown) and Thailand.

3. Thailand set the world record of the longest line of washed plates in May 2010 when 10,488 washed plates were lined up. However, that record was crushed on April 6, 2011, in India when 15,295 washed plates were lined up, equaling more than 2.36 miles.

4. Thailand shares a border with four countries: Myanmar (formerly Burma) to the north and west, Laos to the north and east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Malaysia to the south.

5. Thailand is home to the world’s largest gold Buddha, the largest crocodile farm, the largest restaurant, the longest single-span suspension bridge, and the world’s tallest hotel.

6. In the past, all Thai young men including the kings became Buddhist monks for at least a short period of time before their 20th birthday. Today, fewer young men observe the practice.

7. The world’s smallest mammal, the Craseonycteris thonglongyai (the bumble bat), is found in Thailand.

8. Thailand houses the world’s largest fish, the 12-meter Rhincodon typus, otherwise known as the whale shark.

9. Medicine man Hoo Sateow from Thailand has the world’s documented longest hair at 16′ 11″ long. He says his hair “keeps him nice and warm.

10. In 1996, two rare “diamond-eyed cats,” Phet and Ploy, were married in a lavish $16,241 Thai wedding, the most expensive pet wedding in the world.

11. In 1999, 30 vets worked to heal a 38-year-old cow elephants’ foot, which had been destroyed when she stepped on a landmine in Thailand. It set the record for the largest number of vets in one procedure.

12. In 1999, a group of 282 skydivers set the record for the largest number of skydivers in a free-fall formation above Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. They held the link for 7.11 seconds.

13. Thailand is the world’s 51st largest country. Russia is the largest. The United States is third largest.

14. Thailand is slightly larger than the size of Wyoming at 198,115 square miles (513,115 sq km).

15. Seventy five percent of the people in Thailand are Thai, 14% are Chinese, and 11% are “other.”

16. Buddhism is Thailand’s largest religion with approximate 94.6% of the population practicing the religion. Muslims make up 4.6%, Christians 0.7%, and “other” 0.1%.

17. The world’s largest Christmas log cake was made in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 25, 1997. The cake weighed 5,071 lbs. and reached 27′ 6″. It was later cut into 19, 212 portions.

18. Thailand set the record for the longest catwalk on April 9, 2010. The catwalk was 1,584 meters long and was part of the Pattaya International Fashion Week.

19. Thailand is home to the world’s hairiest child, Supatra “Nat” Sasuphan.

20. The highest elevation in Thailand is Doi Inthanon at 8,514 feet (2,595 m). It is also a popular tourist destination. In fact, an estimated 12,000 people visit the summit each New Year’s Day. The lowest elevation is sea level along the coast.

21. The longest place name in the world is the full name of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand: Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit. It means “City of Angels, Great City of Immortals, Magnificent City of the Nine Gems, Seat of the King, City of Royal Palaces, Home of Gods Incarnate, Erected by Visvakarman at Indra’s Behest.

22. A century ago, northern Thailand was covered with dense hardwood forests. Today only about ¼ of the country remains wooded. Thailand has the second-highest rate of forest loss in Southeast Asia. Only Singapore has lost more. Today, logging is banned in Thailand.

23. A nuclear family in Thailand is rare because most people live in large extended families.

24. Thailand’s national language is called Thai, which many scholars believe is a form of Chinese that was gradually brought to the area between the 7th and 13th centuries. Like Lao, Vietnamese, and Chinese, Thai is a very tonal language. Its alphabet has 32 vowels and 44 consonants.

25. Bangkok was once called the “Venice of the East” because its original buildings stood on stilts above the Chao Phraya River. However, as Bangkok grew larger, most canals were filled and paved.

26. Traffic police in Bangkok wear facemasks because of dangerous levels of air pollution. Additionally, police stations are equipped with oxygen tanks in case exhaust fumes overwhelm the officers. More than 20% of Bangkok’s police have some form of lung disease. One Thai bank estimated that Bangkok’s pollution woes cost the nation $2.3 billion annually in lost production, wasted energy, and health costs.

27. The 2004 tsunami hurtled a wall of water 30 feet high over Thailand’s coast, killing over 8,000 people. An estimated 1,500 Thai children lost their parents and more than 150,000 Thais working in the fishing or tourist industries lost their livelihoods.

28. One-tenth of all animal species on Earth live in Thailand.

29. Prostitution is technically illegal in Thailand, but the law is very rarely enforced. Estimates of the number of sex workers vary from 30,000 to more than 1 million.

30. More than 1,500 species of orchids grow wild in Thai forests. Thailand is the world’s number one orchid exporter.

31. Siamese cats are native to Thailand. In Thai they are called wichen-maat, meaning “moon diamond.” A 14th-century book of Thai poems describes 23 types of Siamese cats; today only six breeds are left. Giving a pair of Si Sawat cats (a type of Siamese cats) to a bride is supposed to bring good luck to the marriage.

32. Thailand is home to what may be the world’ longest snake, the reticulated python. The largest one ever found stretched over 33 feet (10 m) from end to end.

33. Thailand is home to the world longest poisonous snake, the king cobra. The cobra can reach more than 18 feet long, and one bite from it can kill an elephant.

34. The largest living lizard is native to Thailand. The monitor lizard can grow as long as 7 feet.

35. Approximately 10% of the world’s bird species live in Thailand, a greater proportion than in all of Europe or North America.

36. Swiftlet nests are made from strands of salvia from the male swiftlet bird. Swiftlet nests collected from Thai caves can fetch more than $900 per pound. It is one of the world’s most coveted and expensive food items.ⁱ

37. The Mekong River, which forms part of Thailand’s eastern border, supports more than 1,300 species of fish. It holds some of the world’s largest freshwater fish, including a giant catfish which can reach nearly 10 feet long and weigh as much as 660 lbs.

38. One of Thailand’s most curious creatures is the mudskipper, which is a fish that is capable of walking on land and climbing trees. It uses its fins to “walk” and can absorb oxygen through its skin and lining in its mouth. It spends most of its time out of the water, eating the algae in tidal pools.

39. A century ago, more than 100,000 elephants lived in Thailand, with about 20,000 of them untamed. Now, there are about 5,000, with less than half of them wild.

40. Both the Hollywood movie and Broadway play of The King and I are banned in Thailand. Based on the Siamese ruler King Mongkut and a teacher named Anna Leonowens, the movie is seen as insulting to the king. While the movie depicts him as uncultured, he is believed to be the first Asian ruler to speak, read, and write English fluently. He also is considered highly intelligent, cultured, and well read. Further, he is known as the father of Thai scientists.

41. Thailand’s and the world’s longest reigning monarch is Bhumibol Adulyadej, who became King Rama IX in June 1946. He was born in the U.S. in 1927 when his father was studying medicine at Harvard. He owns a patent on a form of cloud seeding and holds a degree in engineering from Switzerland. He also plays the sax and composed Thailand’s national anthem.

42. Over 300,000 Thai have settled in North America with the largest communities along the West Coast in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver. Today, over 10,000 Americans live in Thailand.

43. World-famous golfer Tiger Woods is the son of an American father and a Thai mother.

44. Just as the bald eagle is a symbol of the U.S., the Garuda (a creature from the Hindu religion) is a national and royal symbol of Thailand.

45. The national flag of Thailand is raised every morning at 8:00 and lowered every evening at 6:00. It was introduced in 1917 by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). Its two horizontal red stripes symbolize the land and its people. The white horizontal stripes represent the purity of Buddhism, the nation’s main religion. The wide blue band across the center stands for the monarchy. Before 1917, the flag had a picture of white elephant against a red background.

46. One in 10 Thais live in Bangkok, the nation’s capital and largest city.

47. Bangkok is one of Asia’s top tourist destinations. In 2005, more than 11 million foreign tourists visited in the city.

48. Thailand is the world’s largest producer of tin.

49. Northern Thailand was a major producer of opium in the 1960s and 1970s, which was a major source of income for the hill tribes. The northern tip of Thailand, the western tip of Laos, and the eastern corner of Myanmar make up what is called the “Golden Triangle” and is notorious for the production and trafficking of opium and heroin.

50. The Ramakien is the national epic narrative of Thailand and has influenced everyday Thai life for hundreds of years. The story is actually the Thai version of Ramayana, a poem first told in India 3,000 year ago.

51. Each year, around six million foreign tourists visit Thailand. Thailand has also attracted many expatriates from developed countries.

52. President Andrew Jackson initiated the first official contact with Thailand in the 19th century.

53. The brothers who gave the world the term “Siamese twins” were born in 1811 in a village near Bangkok. The twins Eng and Chang were joined at the chest and left Thailand for the U.S when they were 17 years old. Each brother married, and between them they had 22 children. In 1873, Eng caught pneumonia and died. Chang died a few hours later.

54. The first case of HIV/Aids was reported in Thailand in 1984. Thailand currently has the highest prevalence of HIV in Asia.

55. Sex tourism increased significantly during the 1960s and 1970s because during the Vietnam War American troops were flown to R&R (GIs called it I&I: Intoxication and Intercourse) sites not formally attached to military bases. The Thai government passed the Entertainment Places Act in 1966, which codified the practice of police tolerance of military prostitution.

56. Thailand has one of the worst child sex trafficking records in the world.

57. Thailand has a reputation for sexual tolerance and is considered very safe for LGBT travelers. Transsexuals, also known as krathoeys or ladyboys, are highly visible in mainstream society.

58. The population of Thailand is 67,091,089, which is ranked 20th in the world. The ranking takes into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS.

59. In Thailand, the head is the most important part of the body. Consequently, no one must ever touch another person, even a child, on the head. Thais always try to keep their heads lower than the head of any person who is older or more important, to show respect.

60. Traditionally in Thailand, feet are considered lowly because they symbolize an attachment to the ground, which is a cause for human suffering. As such, a person must never sit with their feet pointing to a statue in a temple or at some other person. Feet must always be tucked underneath the body.

61. Movies that have been filmed in Thailand include The Big Boss (1941), Around the World in Eighty Days (1956), The Ugly American (1963), The Deer Hunter (1978), The Killing Fields (1984), Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Good Morning Vietnam(1987), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The Beach (2000), Alexander (2004), Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason (2004), Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith (2005),Stealth (2005), andThe Hangover Part II (2011).

Renowned worldwide for being the world’s largest water fight, the ceremonies and practices performed during Songkran reflect the essence of ‘Thai-ness’. Traditionally, Songkran is spent having reunions and visiting families, as they get together to renew their bond and show gratitude to their elders. Like other Thai festivals, Songkran is relatively associated with religious rituals such as offering alms to monks, making merits and bathing Buddha images.

However, the meaning and importance of Songkran has been muddied somewhat and nowadays is more interpreted as ‘a fun water festival’ than anything with depth. With the best effort to preserve this traditional festival, authorities and communities nationwide are working together to organise the Songkran Festival Campaign which offers not just the locals but visitors from all over the world experiences of delightful, traditional celebrations of the Thai New Year. The campaign will cover many provinces across five regions of Thailand from east to west and north to south.

If you haven’t decided where to go for the one week holiday, and fancy getting out of Bangkok for a break, have a look through our top 10 cites from across the country. Let’s the celebrations begin!

10. Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nakhon Si Thammarat or Nakhon for short is a southern province on the Gulf of Thailand. The highlights of Songkran there include the bathing ritual of the Phra Phuttha Sihing image, the procession of Nang Kradan (gods and goddesses carved in wooded boards) and a Swing Ceremony to welcome Phra Siva. These events will take place from the 11th to the 15th of April. However, the Nang Kradan procession will only be on the 14th and the 15th.

9. Nong Khai
Situated on the Mekong River, Nong Khai is an important city in the north east of Thailand 615 kilometres away from Bangkok. Set in a beautiful countryside and a rural (Isan or north-eastern) lifestyle, Nong Khai offers the enchanting procession of the sacred Luang Pho Phra Sai Buddha image in the city centre. There will definitely be a big water splashing as well as ethnic performances and entertainment presented along the Mekong River area from the 12th to 15th of April.

8. Phuket
Thailand’s largest island and a popular beach destination make it to our top 10 places to celebrate Songkran. Visitors can join in a communal Thai New Year merit-making ceremony, witness the procession of Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha images as they’re paraded along Patong beach, and pay homage to elders in reverence. A range of events and entertainment will be held at Loma (Dolphin) Public Park and the port, and at the Jungceylon activity plaza overlooking Patong beach. The road along Patong beach will be completely blocked during Songkran celebrations from the 10th to the 13th of April as pickup trucks carrying people throw water on each other.

7. Suphan Buri
Located 120 kilometres on the Chin River to the west of Bangkok, Suphan Buri is rich in culture and historical temples. The ‘City of Gold’ is hosts Songkran celebrations from the 13th to the 14th of April this year. Visitors will enjoy the procession of the sacred gold Luang Pho To Buddha image, parades by the 10 districts of Suphan Buri, folk music and the humorous Suphan Buri accent speech contest!

6. Pattaya
Songkran comes a little late in Pattaya (April 18th to 19th) but it ensures a non-stop fun for everyone. For Pattaya, the Thai New Year is called “Wan Lai”. Special events held between these days include the tradition of local men carrying a lady to the sea and back, Muay Talay competition (two fighters straddling on a wooden board above the water!), rice throwing ceremony and the Parade of Ghosts as well as water drenching on the beach road.

5. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Another city that once was Thailand’s capital (from 1351 to 1767), Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (or Ayutthaya for short) is surely not an ordinary city. Although it was a Siamese ancient kingdom, Ayutthaya has been populated by tribes of ‘Mon’ from Myanmar and the tribal customs have been passed on until the present day. The Mon Songkran celebrations takes place at Wat Tong Bo in Sao Kradong in the Bang Pa-In district of Ayutthaya on the 13th of April. The highlights of the ceremony include the procession of swan and centipede flags as well as the Mon-style Buddha image bathing ritual. Meanwhile, various sites around the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya City Island organises the elephants and mahouts for Songkran water splashing fun and some other religious rituals.

4. Sukhothai
Sukhothai flourished as Thailand’s first capital between 1238 until 1438 and it reflects many aspects of the country’s historical and cultural heritage. Located 427 kilometres from the current capital, Sukhothai is the place where visitors will immerse themselves into the roots of classic Thai culture by witnessing the ordination of novices at Phaya Lithai Memorial Plaza, Si Satchanalai districts and the Sukhothai Historical Park as part of Songkran celebrations. A variety of entertainment and performances and a parade will also be presented during the 10th to 19th of April in the city of Sukhothai.

3. Hat Yai
We’ve travelled north and northeast. It’s time to go down south to the city of Hat Yai in Songkhla province. The country’s third largest metropolitan area is located near the Malaysia-Thailand border. Catering to Malaysian tourists, Hat Yai will celebrate Songkran from in the late afternoon until midnight from the 9th to 15th of April. A variety of entertainment includes a wonderful parade, beauty pageants and late night water splashing on Niphat Uthit Road in the centre of Hat Yai.

2. Khon Kaen
Khon Kaen is the second largest north-eastern city and regarded as the heart of the region. Famous for its silk and Isan culture (northeastern), Khon Kaen is a vibrant city with a population of 150,000. One of Khon Kaen landmarks includes Thanon Khao Niao (Sticky Rice Street) reputedly to be an imitation of Khao San Road. However, the vibes here are completely different from the backpackers’ capital in Bangkok with a policy of NO ALCOHOL (!!) plus the Isan ambience rather than Khao San’s crazy all-night party style. Khao Niao Road hosts the Songkran celebrations from the 10th to 15th of April. Visitors will be part of the world’s longest human wave with water drenching! Other highlights include the procession of ornately decorated ox carts, folk plays, and a food fair at Kaen Nakhon Lake.

1. Chiang Mai
No wonder why it’s called the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is naturally and culturally rich with a history of more than 700 years. The charm of this northern city draws millions of visitors each year. Chiang Mai is also renowned for holding one of the grandest Songkran celebrations in Thailand and is scheduled from April 12th to 15th this year. Among many marvellous festivities, the highlights are a colourful parade around Chiang Mai city moat, a ritual of Buddha bathing and Rodnam Damhua, Lanna-style cultural performances, and there will be a delicious variety of northern foods on offer.

Wherever you end up going to celebrate the Thai New Year, we hope you have fun and cool down… even if it’s only a little! Remember to always smile. Sawadee Bpee Mai everyone!

Laos is still a relatively unvisited place and an absolute paradise for adventurers. For anyone unfamiliar to Laos it is a mountainous, landlocked country in that has long been isolated from the outside world. A visit to Laos is, in many ways, a trip back in time. Travelers are drawn here by a laid-back lifestyle that has disappeared elsewhere in the region. Even the capital Vientiane feels like a relaxed riverfront town. As the country opens up, with an increasing number of roads and bridges being built the amazing tourist attractions in Laos are becoming more and more accessible. Our top 10 is as follows:

10. Vieng Xai
The Vieng Xai caves are an extensive network of caves that served as hidden city during the Vietnam War. The area was home to the Communist army, who were fighting the royalist forces based in Vientiane and was bombed by the US army. Up to 23,000 people lived in the caves, which contained a hospital, military barracks, bakeries, shops, and even a theater. The Lao government hopes to promote the caves as a tourism destination, similar to the Củ Chi tunnels in Vietnam.

9. Pak Ou Caves
The Pak Ou Caves are located north of Luang Prabang on the Mekong river and can be reached by road or river boat. The caves are famous for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of very small and mostly damaged wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the wall shelves. They take many different arrangements, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining (nirvana).

8. Wat Phu
Wat Phu (or Vat Phou) is a ruined Khmer temple complex located at the base of mount Phu Kao, in the Champasak province. The Hindu temple structures date from the 11th to 13th centuries. Wat Phu is small compared with the monumental Angkor-era sites in Cambodia but the tumbledown pavilions, enigmatic crocodile stone and tall trees that shroud much of the site give Wat Phu a mystical atmosphere. The temple is still in use as a Buddhist site today.

7. Pha That Luang
Located in Vientiane, Pha That Luang (“Great Stupa in Lao”) is one of the most significant monument in Laos. The stupa has several terraces with each level representing a different stage of Buddhist enlightenment. The lowest level represents the material world; the highest level represents the world of nothingness. Pha That Luang was built in the 16th century on the ruins of an earlier Khmer temple. Pha That Luang was smashed by a Siamese invasion in 1828, then later reconstructed by the French in 1931.

6. Wat Xieng Thong
Located near the northern tip of the peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers, Wat Xieng Thong is Luang Prabang’s most magnificent temple. It was built in 1560 by King Setthathirath and was under royal patronage during the Kingdom of Laos. Wat Xieng Thong contains a rare reclining Buddha statue that dates from the construction of the temple. In 1931, the image was taken to Paris and displayed at the Paris Exhibition, only to return to Luang Phrabang more than 30 years later.

5. Plain of Jars
The Plain of Jars is a large area extending around the town of Phonsavan, where huge jars of unknown origin are scattered around the landscape. The stone jars appear in clusters, ranging from a single or a few to several hundred jars. The jars vary in height and diameter between 1 and 3 meters and are all hewn out of rock. The stone jars are undecorated with the exception of a single jar that has a human bas-relief carved on the exterior. Research of the Plain of Jars suggests that the stone jars are associated with prehistoric burial practices.

4. Si Phan Don
Si Phan Don (meaning 4,000 islands) is a beautiful set of islands, set against a scenic section of the Mekong River in Southern Laos. The Mekong is impassable to river traffic here due to the Khone Falls, a series of rapids that stretch 9.7 km (6.0 miles) of the river’s length. The Mekong below the falls has a small population of the highly endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins. The three principal islands that cater to tourists are Don Det, Don Khon and Done Kong. Most of the lodging available on Don Det and Don Khon consists of simple, family run bungalows. Bikes and kayaks can also be rented here.

3. Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a riverside town, located in central Laos about a 4 hour bus ride north of the capital. The main street is full of guest houses, bars, restaurants, internet cafes, tour agencies, and tourists. The area’s main attraction is the dramatic karst hill landscape surrounding Vang Vieng. The limestone mountains are popular with rock climbers while the many unexplored tunnels and caverns are a spelunker’s heaven. Vang Vieng’s most popular activity however is simply floating along the Nam Song river in an inner tube.

2. Mekong River
The Mekong is Southeast Asia’s greatest river with an estimated length of 4,350 km (2,703 miles). Laos actually has the greatest share of the Mekong River. With few good roads and mountainous terrain, the river is Laos’ principal transportation. The Upper Mekong in Laos is considered one of the most stunning journeys of the entire river. A great way to enjoy the scenery is a boat trip from Huay Xai at the border with northern Thailand to Luang Prabang, or vice versa.

1. Luang Prabang
One of the most charming cities in south-east Asia, Luang Prabang is the most popular tourist attraction in Laos. Until 1975, when the communist took over the country, it was the royal capital of Laos. The main part of Luang Prabang is located on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. A collection of golden-roofed temples, wooden houses and crumbling French provincial buildings fill the main roads. At dawn, monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms of rice.

No visit to Thailand is complete without a visit to one of the many stunning beaches the country has to offer, and no holiday is complete without a good party somewhere along the line.  With this in mind I set off with a good mate of mine, Andy to conduct essential ‘field research’ of the Full Moon Party on Koh Phan Ngan, with the mind of developing a tour specifically built around this phenomenon.

These parties happen every month on the Full Moon on an island called Ko Phan Ngan, a real backpacker haven that in more recent years has seen development aimed at the more discerning traveller.  The main beach where the party happens, Haad Rin has remained true to its roots however.  The plan to visit was hatched at the last minute, and following a series of frustrating phone calls it was apparent that we weren’t going to find any accommodation available at such an 11^th hour moment on the island, so we decided to take a hotel on Koh Samui and commute to the party by speedboat.

Koh Samui is the big brother of the lesser island, and is by far and away more commercialised.  After a couple of days settling in, we booked a taxi and speedboat package to whisk us over to the island, very Martini Advert stuff….  As the afternoon wore on, our excitement and anticipation began to grow.  We have both partied before, from Alaska to Sydney, Durban to Moscow but something inside both of our stomachs told us that this was going to be special.  It had been a while since we had enjoyed some time away together, married life and different careers can knock a decades old friendship out of synch, this was one night where that was about to be put right.

We were picked up from our hotel and whisked by minibus to our awaiting speedboat.  She was super deluxe (no, really she was).  I was expecting a fishing trawler that would take hours to chug over, leaving us with the sensation that we might just make it there for the next full moon.  Anyway, it had 3 huge engines on it, and took only 20 minutes to zoom across the waters that divide the islands. This thing was a beast, no chance of getting sea sick, as your stomach was still dangling in mid air at the exact point that the captain cranked up those diesels!

We could hear the party before we could see it.  Getting off at the pier we walked through to Haad Rin for our first encounter with the night of chaos that was about to ensue.  We emerged from the coconut trees into this amazing bay, bathed in moonlight.  About 300 metres long with at least 10 different bars all pumping out music at a volume that would drown out a jumbo jet.  The beach was heaving with people dancing or just lying around drinking and chatting.

Andy rushed out onto the sand, like a 6 year old child on Christmas morning only to do the king of all face plants into the sand in front of the entire beach.  Muttering something about the sand bed being ‘deceptively flat’ Andy composed himself, tried to make it look like it had been his plan all along to ‘eat sand’ and headed off towards the numerous bars that lined the shore. Each was playing a different style of music, from Techno to Trance, and people were stood out on the beach, dancing, or with the ‘it’s my first time here and I’ve drunken far too much far too soon’ expressions on their faces.

Andy added brown stains to his already sandy trousers when a man carrying a huge iguana shoved it in his face and said ‘want to pet it?’  Turns out he’s not a big fan of the large lizard family, can’t really blame him, I mean, they aren’t exactly the friendliest looking creatures are they?  It’s also a bit irresponsible wandering around the beach doing that when there are so many people partying like their lives depended on it. Imagine, you’re happily dancing away thinking life is great, and the world is full of fluffy bunnies, and then suddenly someone shoves a small dragon in your face!!!  Next stop therapy.  I petted a man’s python for a while and asked him if it was ‘bring your pet to the party day?’ but he didn’t seem to understand what I meant.

We settled on a bar that was at the end of the bay, and about 10m up on a cliff.  This took us away from the madding crowd, but afforded us a great view of the alcohol fuelled dancing that was the Full Moon Party.

Once up there, I decided to try a local legend, The Bucket.  I had heard so much about these, but really had no idea what they were, so ordered one at the bar.  The barman looked at me with a mixture of respect, pity and contempt in equal measure and I was handed was a can of coke, a can of Red Bull, half a bottle of Sangsom (very strong local Thai rum) and a small bucket (like the ones toddlers have on the beach) filled with ice and 3 straws.  The idea is that you pour all three into this bucket and then drink it down through the three straws.  After that, your next priority is to try and get up to find the bones that have disappeared out of your legs.  We are talking serious stuff, especially as by this point I was already well lubricated.

Andy decided to head down onto the beach, and we arranged to meet up 3 hours later back at the bar.  By now the group of Aussies that I had been talking too had been joined by 2 very drunk Swedish girls, 2 girls from London, and one of the top DJ’s who would be playing that night.  The bucket had long since been drained, and I was now on the Double Vodka Red Bulls, knowing that the amount of caffeine that I was putting into my body would get a donkey around the Grand National course.

I stood amongst this band of bucket brethren and we chatted for quite a while.  Eventually the draw of the music became too much and we made our way down to the beach, dancing to some kind of Indi Trance Music. People were falling all around me, and taking 30 seconds to get back up on their feet, and all the while, I’m dancing and slowly burying myself into the beach.  It’s hard to put into words what it was like, loud music, fire jugglers, people lying sprawled out or skinny dipping, lasers, neon necklaces, the waves, moonlight, boats moored off the shore, smells of food being cooked.  It was like a sensory overload, almost confusing, but in a really nice way.  I have never done drugs, but I can imagine that this is what a good trip would feel like.  There was no intimidation, no pretentiousness, just everyone having the time of their lives.  For those few blessed hours, time seemed to stand still and all the pressures that come with everyday life took on less importance.

By now I had danced myself knee deep into the beach sand like some kind of mole getting his ‘freak on’.  Preferring not to dance my way to China, I peeled off from my new found friends and went off to the rendezvous spot with Andy.  As I approached the bar, I spotted him down on the shore, and the first thing that hit me was that Andy had ‘the face’.  This is a phenomenon that happens when Andy gets drunk; all of his face muscles relax and he looks like a completely different bloke.

To make things more complicated, he was talking to a ladyboy and to put it correctly, they appeared to be getting along handsomely.  This was one of those moments in your life where you have to make a split decision, an act distinctly hampered by the presence of Vodka and fatigue.  Imagine my relief when I realized that was just chatting in a drunken state like we all do; it seemed like they were both enthusiastically telling each other about their passions, his being Rugby and hers handbags.

You may read this and think that that is really strange, but all I can say is that it is different here.  The culture in Thailand is so tolerant, and as a race they are very accepting of alternative life choices.  My dilemma did not come from the choice that my friend might make; it came from the fact that he had made one already by marrying a good friend of my wife.

Back to the story.  I realise Andy is pretty hammered.  I’ve had so much caffeine that by now my senses are so acute that I can hear mice breaking wind and giggling behind the speakers.  Its 15 minutes before the boat back so we decided to head off.   As the speedboat carved its way through the waves, I looked back at the party as it faded into the distance, the diesels finally winning the battle over the sound systems on the beach.  Our taxi was waiting for us when we returned to Samui and with we headed back to our hotel, getting there for 5.30am. The caffeine guarantees me a fun evening of staring at the ceiling for a few hours, with sporadic twitching fits, but I finally drift off at 8am.

The experience had was unlike anything else I have encountered during my many years of travelling and research.  The sheer size of the party, the hype, the reality exceeding the hype, the friendliness of everyone we met, all surpassed my expectations and left me wanting to go back for more.  We have since devised a Full Moon Party itinerary which is now featured on our website.  It takes all the difficulties out of getting there and back, finding accommodation or friends to travel with.  Accompanied by a trained tour leader, you are left to relax and enjoy the beach in the lead up to and after the party with your only concern being what you are going to wear on one of the biggest nights of your life.

One thing I know for sure, is those 12 hours of my life were some of the best, and that is saying a lot considering I have been a professional traveller for almost 20 years.  These are the stories that I will share one day with my grandchildren, when I tell them about how hard grandpa lived!

Day 1: Bangkok

It was still quite early in the morning when our flight landed at
Suvarnhabhumi Airport but you could feel the heat as soon as they
opened the plane doors. We made it through immigration, got our bags,
and took a taxi to our hotel in central Bangkok where the first thing I did
after checking in was take a shower and then fall asleep on the bed. My
body was telling me it was the middle of the night but Lorna insisted it
was time to do some shopping. It turned out Lorna was right!

We were staying on Sukhumvit Road but they might as well call it
Sukhumvit Market as far as I’m concerned. There are stalls all along the
street selling just about anything you could possibly want from clothes to
DVDs and souvenirs to some very strange-looking and pungent-smelling
food. Lorna bought a couple of t-shirts, a pair of shorts, and a wooden
frog (don’t ask), while I tried what I think was grilled pork with sticky
rice. We then went back to the hotel to freshen up before the tour briefing
and dinner at 6pm.

That evening, we met our Thai guide called Wasan as well as the other
8 people who were in our tour group. We went for dinner in a restaurant
near the hotel while Wasan got us all to introduce ourselves before he
told us a bit about the tour and then answered our questions. Most of the
people on the tour were about the same age as Lorna and me, although
there was an older couple in their 40s from Scotland. They said it was
the first time for 20 years they’d had a holiday without their kids, who
were both now at university, so they wanted to do something special
and have a bit of adventure. There was also a young couple from London
celebrating their engagement, and then there were 2 sisters from Norway

and 2 young lads from Ipswich. The one other thing I learnt that evening
is that drinking Singha beer doesn’t cool the burning sensation that you
get in your mouth from eating a Thai green curry.

Day 2: Bangkok

We started the second day with an early breakfast in the hotel and then
Wasan took us on a guided tour of some of Bangkok’s most famous
temples and palaces. Getting there was quite an adventure in itself as
we travelled by local bus and then on a canal boat. It was the rush hour,
so there were people in business clothes, school kids in their uniforms,
and monks in their orange robes all crammed on the boat with us. I
don’t know what they made of us snow white coloured foreigners in our
shorts and t-shirts, but the young monks in particular seemed to find us
amusing.

Wasan was very patient and he did a great job of keeping us all together
as we visited the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha,
and Wat Pho, which Wasan informed us is home to the biggest reclining
Buddha statue in Thailand. Wasan also told us lots of other interesting
facts as we were walking around, but if I’m honest, the only other thing I
remember was that the Emerald Buddha isn’t made of emerald.

After some noodle soup for lunch at a street stall, we took a ride along
the Chao Phraya River on a river taxi and later, by popular demand, took
the sky train to the MBK mall for some more shopping. Wasan may have
kept us all together on the temple tours and various modes of transport,
but when it came to the shopping, he left us to it, which was exactly what
everyone wanted I think.

We all met up back at the hotel later and then Wasan took us to
Hualamphong Train Station where we caught an overnight train to Surat
Thani in the south of Thailand. The train had definitely seen better days,
but it still felt a bit elegant somehow when the ticket collector came round
later on and converted all the chairs into full-on sleeping berths complete
with sheets, a pillow, and curtains. It was like being in an old film –
except that I don’t remember a person walking up and down the corridor
selling bottles of beer out of a bucket in those old black and white films!
Chai his name was, and he certainly made a few baht out of our group
that night!

Day 3: Koh Samui

I’m not sure whether it was jet lag or the Chang beer but we were all
a bit rough when we got off the train early the next morning. I don’t
remember too much about the bus transfer to the port or the ferry ride to
Koh Samui, except that one of the lads from Ipswich dropped his mate’s
camera over the side trying to take a picture of what he insisted was a
shark. After we got off the boat, we travelled in the back of a pick-up
truck to our resort, and I gradually started to notice what a beautiful
island we’d arrived on. It was everything you would expect of a tropical
island paradise with clear blue waters, white sandy beaches, coconut
palm trees, and a hilly interior covered in jungle.

We were staying at a resort with wooden bungalows on stilts right on the
beach underneath the palm trees. We’d only been there 5 minutes but
already the hustle and bustle of Bangkok felt like a lifetime away. Wasan
explained to the lads from Ipswich that they would need to get a police
report so that they could make an insurance claim when they got home.
He took them to the police station while the rest of us got settled in.

I was straight in the water for a swim to try out my new snorkel and
face mask, while Lorna and the Norwegian girls went to check out the
restaurant. After a while, Lorna called me over and we had lunch together
with the Norwegian sisters and the Ipswich lads, who’d just got back from
the police station. The Norwegian girls spoke excellent English, which
was just as well because it was pretty obvious that the Ipswich lads were
trying to chat them up. The London couple and the Scottish couple came
over and joined us a bit later and we had a quick beer before Wasan
picked us up for a tour of the island.

First stop was Big Buddha beach where there’s a 15-metre high Buddha
statue. We also visited some very strange rock formations called
Grandma and Grandpa Rock which look like certain parts of the human
body that I am glad to say I have never seen on my own grandparents.
The next stop was a bit bizarre, too. A famous local monk died while
sitting in a meditating position and his body is on display in a glass case,
still sitting in the same cross-legged position and hardly decayed even
though he died about 20 years ago. We finished off the tour with a swim
in the surprisingly cold waters of the plunge pool at Na Muang Waterfall.

By the time we got back to the resort, it was late afternoon. Lorna and
I had a walk along the beach and then we met up again with the rest of
our group for dinner and a few beers with an amazing sunset and the

sound of the waves gently breaking on the beach as our tropical island
backdrop. It was very romantic and Mike, one of the boys from Ipswich,
seemed to be making some progress with Kristi, the younger of the
Norwegian sisters, but his friend James was striking out with Inge, the
elder sister, who didn’t seem interested at all.

Day 4: Koh Samui

Wasan was a great guide and full of enthusiasm, but he also knew when
to leave you alone to get on and do your own thing. Our second day on
Samui was a free day and we had so many activities to choose from it
was hard to narrow it down. In the end, Lorna and the Norwegian girls
agreed to go and spend the day in a spa, while I went with Mike and
James on an elephant trek in the morning and then we went snorkeling in
the afternoon. The London couple just chilled out on the beach trying to
get as tanned as they could, and the older Scottish couple went on a boat
trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park, which looked awesome judging by
their pictures.

The whole group had dinner together again back at the resort, and then
Lorna and I went to a bar with Mike, James, Inge and Kristi. That night
we discovered a local delicacy called ‘a bucket’, which is basically a small
ice bucket filled with a punch of Thai whiskey (which is actually rum),
coca cola, Red Bull, and several drinking straws. We’d already got used to
the communal way of eating which is common in Thailand, but now it was
time for communal drinking as the bucket is shared amongst the group. I
don’t remember how many buckets we had, but I do vaguely remember
dancing with a Thai girl who Lorna said was a ladyboy. And I did see Mike
getting very comfortable with Kristi but I think James had completely
given up on his chances with Inge by now.

Day 5: Khao Sok National Park

Just as the journey to Koh Samui had been a bit of a blur, so it was
when we left. A pick-up truck, a boat, and another pick-up truck, and
we arrived at our jungle lodge in Khao Sok National Park. If Koh Samui
was the perfect tropical island paradise, then Khao Sok was just how you
would imagine the jungle to be.

We spent the afternoon canoeing on the river in the park. The scenery

was stunning with steep rock faces right next to the river in some places
and just the densest vegetation you could imagine everywhere around
you. We even saw some monkeys as we drifted along. Wasan said there
was actually a lot of wildlife in the park but it was rare to see anything
apart from monkeys now, although he had also personally seen some
scorpions, snakes, large spiders, and exotic birds, too. We finished the
day off with a trek along one of the trails into the jungle, which Wasan
said was originally made by elephants, and then it was a very rare early
night for us.

Day 6: Ao Nang

We were all up early the next morning feeling fresh and ready for the
next part of the trip, which was about to take our tropical paradise
experience to the next level. It was a bit of a trek to get there on two
buses and another pick-up taxi but it was definitely worth the trouble.
Once again we were staying in beach bungalows but the beach was even
more beautiful than Koh Samui. Lorna and I just spent the rest of the day
on the beach, sunbathing and snorkelling. I also bought a hammock and
put it up on our balcony. Actually, I put it up twice because it collapsed
the first time I tested it out.

Again, we all had dinner together while Wasan told us what our options
were for the next day. The Norwegian girls signed up to go scuba diving
since they already had their diving qualifications. The Scottish couple
decided to go on another boat trip to some of the islands in the area. The
London couple just wanted to chill on the beach and work on their tans.
Lorna and I decided to go with Mike and James to explore some local
caves.

Day 7: Ao Nang

Lorna and I had breakfast with Mike and James before we went to the
caves. I’m not sure what had happened between Mike and Kristi the
night before, but he was getting very embarrassed when James kept
asking him about her. Anyway, we all set off to explore the caves and this
time it was Mike who was making fun of James, who forgot to take his
sunglasses off and kept complaining that he couldn’t see anything.

In the afternoon, Mike and James went kayaking, while Lorna and I joined

Steve and Naomi, the London couple, on the beach. It was our last day
at Ao Nang so we just spent the rest of the day relaxing and soaking up
the beautiful scenery before ending the day with a delicious meal of fish,
crab, monster-sized prawns and rice, all washed down with a few bottles
of Singha as we watched the sun set over the sea. Perfect!

Day 8: Phang Nga Bay

It was hard to leave the idyllic setting of Ao Nang, but it was made a bit
easier knowing that we were just swapping one corner of paradise for
another. After travelling by local bus to Phang Nga, we boarded a long
tail boat for a tour of the bay. The long tail boats are so called because
they have an engine mounted near the rear of the boat with an extra long
propeller shaft that can be swivelled to steer the boat. Lorna and I had
the front seat and as we set off, she nudged me and pointed to the back
of the boat where Mike and Kristi were sitting together holding hands,
while James and Inge were sitting as far apart as possible on the seat in
front of them and doing their best to ignore each other.

As we chugged around Phang Nga Bay in our wooden boat, it soon
became obvious just what an amazing place it is. It is actually a huge
natural bay peppered with hundreds of small islands, sea caves, lagoons,
beaches, and weird shaped rock formations jutting out of the sea. But
our first port of call was an overhanging cliff where Wasan pointed out
some ancient rock paintings. It was certainly something I hadn’t expected
to see, and not far from there we had our second surprise as we passed
underneath an arch in the rock face and suddenly found ourselves inside
a hidden lagoon surrounded by sheer cliffs. Wasan said there was a beach
that you could land on at low tide, but it was submerged under the high
tide when we were there. The high tide also meant there was just enough
clearance to get the boat back out under the arch but it was a very tight
fit.

As we headed back out onto the open sea, the bizarre outline of our next
destination came slowly into view. James Bond Rock is famous as the
location of Scaramanga’s secret hideaway in the old James Bond film, The
Man with the Golden Gun. The boat stopped on the beach of a tiny island
next to it so we all had a chance to get out, stretch our legs, and take the
obligatory pictures.

Our penultimate stop for the day was at a Muslim fishing village on stilts
before we finally landed on a secluded island where we spent the night

camping on the beach under the stars. Koh Samui and Ao Nang are real
tropical paradises, but this was like something out of Robinson Crusoe.

Day 9: Phuket

Early the next morning, Wasan cooked us a basic breakfast on the beach,
and then it was time to jump back in the long tail and head for the final
destination of our tour. After we landed at Ao Por pier in Phuket, we were
taken to our hotel in Phuket Town where our group would spend the last
night together. However, I had a feeling that it might not be the last night
that Mike and Kristi spent together.

The last full day of the tour was a free day, so Lorna and I just spent the
afternoon wandering around the town. We also planned to stay on for a
few more days before flying back home from Phuket Airport via Bangkok,
so we booked ourselves on a snorkelling trip for the next day.

We had agreed to meet up with the whole group later on for one last big
night out together, so after a big meal and a few bottles of Chang beer,
we all hit the town. It’s all a bit burry after that but I know it was light
when we got back to the hotel.

Day 10: Phuket

The next morning – very, very late the next morning – we all had our last
lunch together and exchanged e-mails and Facebook addresses before
heading our separate ways. We have some fantastic memories from that
tour and we made some great friends who we will definitely keep in touch
with. The scenery was stunning, the Thai people we met were so friendly,
and Wasan was an excellent guide. Thank you to Footsteps in Asia for a
dream holiday, and 10 out of 10 for the 10 Days in Southern Thailand
tour.

In 1994 it was designated as a World Heri­tage site, and more recently named as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. And well-traveled visitors to the bay will notice the magical, mystical landscape of limestone islets compare to those of Guilin in China and Krabi in southern Thailand, but in reality Halong Bay is much more spectacular. These tiny islands are dotted with beaches and grottoes created over the centuries by wind and waves, and have sparsely forested slopes ringing with birdsong.

Beyond the breathtaking vistas on a boat cruise through the bay, visitors to Halong come to explore the caves, some of which are beautifully illuminated for the benefit of tourists, and to hike through Cat Ba National Park. There are few real beaches in Halong Bay, but Lan Ha Bay (off the coast of Cat Ba Island) has more than 100 sandy strips.

Halong City is the gateway to Halong Bay but not the ideal introduction to this incredible World Heritage site and wonder of the world. Developers have not been kind to the city and most visitors sensibly opt for tours that include sleeping on a boat in the bay. In short, Halong Bay is the attraction; Halong City is not.

As the number-one tourist attraction in the northeast, Halong Bay draws a steady stream of visitors year-round. From February to April the weather in this region is often cool and drizzly. The ensuing fog can make visibility low, but this adds an ethereal air to the place and the temperature rarely falls below 10°C. During the summer months tropical storms are frequent, and tourist boats may have to alter their itineraries, depending on the weather.

Halong Bay is the stuff of myths and naturally the Vietnamese have concocted one. Halong translates as ‘where the dragon descends into the sea’. Legend has it that the islands of Halong Bay were created by a great dragon that lived in the mountains. As it charged towards the coast, its flailing tail gouged out valleys and crevasses. When it finally plunged into the sea, the area filled with water, leaving only the pinnacles visible.

Dragons aside, the biggest threat to the bay may be from souvenir-hunting tourists. Rare corals and seashells are rapidly being stripped from the sea floor, and stalactites and stalagmites are being broken off from the caves. These items get turned into key rings, paperweights and ashtrays, which are on sale in the local souvenir shops. Obviously the fewer people buy, the less the local people will take to sell, so don’t encourage the trade.

1. Petronas Towers
A obvious must see in Malaysia. Once the tallest buildings in the world, the 88 floor Petronas Twin Towers are now recognized as the world’s tallest twin structures. Inspired by Islamic architecture, this colossal mega-structure, standing 452 metres tall, retained its claim to fame until 2004 when Taipei’s 101 was built measuring 508 metres with 101 floors.

2. Malacca
Many years ago Malacca was one of Malaysia’s most popular destinations. Long before Kuala Lumpur transformed itself from a malaria-infested jungle into a shiny, high-rise capital, Malacca was one of the busiest trading ports in Southeast Asia. Over time it changed from a thriving port into a sleepy backwater city and lost its appeal as a must-visit destination compared to its high-rolling cousins.

Yet in recent years, Malacca has been revived as a must see holiday getaway due to its historic attractions. Also home of the well-known Nyonya cuisine, it’s a popular destination for tourists who want to take a glimpse of Malaysia’s unique heritage.

3. George Town
A extraordinary fusion of eastern and western influences, Penang is Malaysia’s most visited destination by tourists. The island manages to go with modern progression while retaining its colonial traditions; due to its well-preserved heritage buildings Penang’s capital, Georgetown, has been listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Although Georgetown’s landscape is dominated by Chinese storefronts, with most in need of a good paint job, there are also classy shopping complexes, refurbished Chinese manors, rowdy pubs and arty boutiques, cafés and studios. The city is a mainstay on the Malaysian tourist scene yet it is also a popular expat enclave; besides that, the food here, a hotchpotch of Indian curry and Chinese noodles, is for many the best in Malaysia.

4. Redang Island
Over the years, Redang has grown to be one of the most popular destinations for tourists and divers due its pristine nature and rich marine environment.

The Redang archipelago constitutes the islands of Pulau Redang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling and Pulau Pinang.

Only the bigger islands like Redang, Lang Tengah, Perhentian and Kapas have resort facilities for visitors.

5. Menara KL
Along with the Petronas Twin Towers, Menara KL Tower is easily Malaysia’s most recognizable and popular landmark. The tower, constructed in 1994, stands at 421 metres tall and easily outdoes the Petronas Twin Towers with the highest and most spectacular view of the city. This gleaming tower’s spindle-like apex is visible from almost anywhere in Kuala Lumpur.

Menara KL’s viewing deck is, at 276 metres, at least 100 metres higher than the Petronas Twin Towers’ Skybridge; the view is spectacular during the day and even better at night when you can see the entire sparkling lights of the city centre.

6. Sky Bridge
The entrance to the Langkawi cable-car, which takes visitors all the way up to Mount Mat Cincang, Langkawi’s second highest peak,  is located in The Oriental Village in the upper northwest of Langkawi Island, near Pantai Kok. Entering the village and passing through the pleasant oriental garden and souvenir shops, visitors make their payment at a counter before stepping onto an escalator which brings them to the cable-car pedestal.

Once in, the cable-car ascends; you’ll begin to notice the temperature dropping and a windy breeze begin flowing into the cabin through ventilation slits at the top. As it gets cooler, the landscape below begins to appear smaller, and at after climbing at a 42° angle for a few hundred feet, you can start snapping pictures of the rainforest below. Look out at the side for a view of the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, which cascades down a grey rock face.

7. Penang Hill Railway
With the right dose of history and culture, Penang plays host to a variety of attractions ranging from beaches and historical architecture to cultural hotspots and a wide range of local foods. Located on the northern sector of the island, Penang Hill, one of Malaysia’s oldest hill resorts, is a hillside retreat comprising Western Hill, Bukit Laksamana, Tiger Hill, Flagstaff Hill and Government Hill. It is not as popular as Genting Highlands or Cameron Highlands but it is one of the island’s most popular tourist attractions.

Six kilometres away from the city centre, Penang Hill, also known as Bukit Bendera, is the perfect way to escape the heat and humidity of Georgetown. Standing apart from the lowlands due to its hilly and forested areas, it is a popular holiday retreat due to its nippy climate. Towering 821-metres above Penang’s capital, this chilly hill station boasts temperatures that are generally about five degrees cooler than at sea level.

8. Kinabulu National Park
Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia’s capital city, doesn’t really personify Borneo – the capital isn’t a jumble of leafy greens and seaside shanties, but it is the place to go for a cache of Sabahan’s superlative sights. Most visitors head up here for a view of Borneo’s towering granite roof, Mount Kinabalu, but KK has plenty of attractive coastal towns and stilt villages worth visiting. A night spent in Kota Kinabula is well worth the occasion before you aim for the summit.

Home to the 4095-metre Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia’s highest peak, the Kinabalu National Park, located in northwest Sabah, is Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has one of the world’s largest collections of flora and fauna and the two-day journey across its landscape to get to the summit of the Borneo peak is a sure-fire adventure challenge for intrepid climbers.

9. Cameron Highland
A good place to cool off after you’ve explored Malaysia’s forests, beaches and lowlands, Cameron Highlands is a salubrious and cool hill station located along the Pahang borders. It’s not as glamorous and glitzy as Genting Highlands, the ‘City of Entertainment’, yet the town manages to attract its fair share of visitors
.

10. Sunway Lagoon
Spanning an area over 80 acres, Malaysia’s premier theme park in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, has thrills and spills to offer people of all ages! Divided into three sections; the Wild Wild West, World of Adventure and Waters of Africa, a day out in Sunway Lagoon is a fun-filled encounter to remember!

That being said, although the value of most foreign currencies still goes a really long way in Cambodia ($.50 beer, $2 tuk-tuk ride across town, $3 entree, $5 hour-long massage), it doesn’t mean the quality of the goods necessarily suffers. Of all the cities in Cambodia currently set to make major moves in the international tourism market, none is more poised to do so than the northwestern city of Siem Reap, a city better known as the gateway to Angkor Wat, some of the most stunning, if not the most, ancient temples in the world.

Proof that Siem Reap is set to (or already is) blowing up? Over 2.5 million tourists visited the city in 2010, which puts the visitor numbers directly on par with the popular island of Maui. So why is Siem Reap featured here if so many people already know about it? Because on Maui a “cheap” room will run you about $100/night; in Siem Reap, it’s $10.

Though the entry fee to the Angkor Wat temple complex is somewhat steep at $20 for a one day pass, you can still get a personal driver to shuttle you around for the entire day for as low as $12. Grab a $3 plate of fish amok and a $.50 Angkor beer back in town on Pub Street, and enjoy the rejuvenated energy of the ancient Angkor Kingdom without making a temple-sized dent in your wallet.

Smile: When in doubt, smile! Smiling is a universal language anywhere in the world, and a bit of a cultural habit in Thailand.

Wai: It’s not general expected that foreigners initiate a wai, but you can give one by bowing slightly with your hands together, kind of like a prayer. Status in Thailand is a very important (and complicated) part of Thai culture, and in most cases you should only wai those of equal or greater social status.

Keep calm and carry on: Mai pen rai is a Thai expression that sums up Thai culture pretty well – Don’t worry, no worries, never mind. Even on the hottest of days, crowds of people and tourist scams, it is never okay to yell or get annoyed in public. You will only embarrass yourself and those around you.

Your head: The head is sacred Buddhist culture, even in Bangkok. Never touch or pass something over someone’s head.

Your feet: Feet are considered unclean. Don’t ever use your feet to point at someone or something, or even to move an object. Be especially careful in temples and don’t point your feet in the direction of any Buddha images.

Your shoes: Leave them at the door. In someone’s home and even in some stores and massage places, you should take off your shoes before going inside. Look for a shoe rack at the door or follow the lead of those going in before you so you know what you’re doing.

PDA: Public displays of affection are not generally appreciated in public. If you take a look around you, you will hardly even see Thai couples holding hands in public. Be careful of touching someone of the opposite sex, even if you are on friendly terms.

Dress: What to wear in Bangkok isn’t so difficult to figure out. Dress for summer as if you were planning to meet your in-laws for the first time. With the wonders of hairspray, ironing, and makeup, Thais manage to look well dressed and fresh despite the horrifically humid climate. For women, skirts and shorts are generally fine, but having your shoulders or cleavage on display will be met with some disapproving glances.  Just remember, Bangkok isn’t the beach.

Temples: Temples, such as Wat Phra Keaw and Wat Rachabophit have strict dress codes. You’ll need to make sure you have your arms and your legs covered. Take off your shoes. Never touch a monk. As we mentioned already, don’t point your feet at or touch any religious statues. Use your best judgment and following the lead of the Thai visitors you won’t go far wrong.

Photographs: This might seem obvious, but it needs to be said. Don’t take pictures of people without asking. It’s not so polite and you probably wouldn’t want your photograph to be taken by a stranger without permission.

The Royal family: Remember t pay your respects; it’s actually the law in Thailand. At the cinema, BTS stations or even Chatuchak Market, you must stop what you are doing and stand up when the Song for His Majesty the King or Thai national anthem is being played.

At the BTS: Public transportation in Thailand is usually a very civil affair unless taking a bus, which can seem like a Royal Rumble just getting on. People taking the BTS queue orderly and politely on the platform while waiting for the next train to arrive. And, like in most places in the world, people (hopefully) get up and offer their seats to pregnant women, the elderly, monks and those carrying a ton of shopping after a busy day at Central World.

Tipping: While tipping isn’t mandatory for any service, it’s always courteous to tip for a job well done. In tourist areas there seems to be a general expectation for some kind of tip, but it’s still up to your own discretion. Now more and more, restaurants are including a service charge in the bill, so watch out for that before you include a tip.

It is, as you can imagine, extremely crowded, loud, with plenty of bright lights, which makes for a real attack on the senses, but definitely not meant in a bad way. With a massive range of products is on show for haggling over, anything from key rings and soft toys to handbags and clothes, the vibe is usually pretty good. You also won’t be run over by oncoming motorbikes either, as the market is totally pedestrianised, so having said that it’s always a wise idea to keep a tight hold on your bag and belongings at all times.

The market was actually opened and meant to be an attraction for tourists, but one thing you won’t see didn’t see much of is souvenirs, and I can certainly say the clothes and bags on sale weren’t particularly tourist-targeted either. Although there were plenty of warm clothes for winter in Hanoi should you feeling a little chilly. Shoppers were mainly young Vietnamese, and shows this place is as much a social destination for hanging out as it is for shopping, with a fair concentration of foreigners thrown into the mix.

As for prices, it’s common for tourists to aim to pay around 70% of the item’s starting price, while locals can be more optimistic and go around for 50% or less. So maybe try your luck and you could end up grabbing a bargain.

As well as the market there are night food stalls. Running along the northern side of the Dong Xuan market building you’ll come across a row of restaurants with most of them serving hotpot. There are also a lot of carts to be found throughout the market selling all sorts of local snacks.

Taking a wander round the market is definitely a pleasant way to spend an hour or so in the evening, and you could possibly even find something you quite fancy too.. even if it’s just a good portion of hotpot.